One of the hallmarks of a beautiful body contour is a flat, firm abdomen. Abdominoplasty, also known as tummy tuck surgery, removes excess skin and fat, and usually restores separated or weakened muscles creating an abdominal profile that is firmer and smoother. A tummy tuck can help you improve your abdominal shape for a long time as long as it is personalized to your needs. Gathering some information on the three types of tummy tucks available can help you know the best option to suit your needs.
Standard (traditional)
The traditional tummy tuck is ideal for women and men who have a sizeable portion of loose skin they want removed from their midsection. It is common for patients of this procedure to be those that have weak abdominal muscles and/or excess flab post pregnancy (for women), or those who have recently lost a great deal of weight. A standard tummy tuck should be reserved for patients who are unable to reduce their tummy troubles through exercise and diet alone.
The surgical incision is moderately large for a standard tummy tuck with the incision running in a straight line between the hip bones. Minor liposuction may be required to assist with fat removal before the surgeon begins tightening the abdominal muscles and closing the incision. The belly button must be correctly repositioned during the end of the procedure. This is due to the large portion of skin being removed in the abdominal area. Patients who will undergo this surgery may require a brief hospital stay to ensure successful recovery. 2 – 4 weeks is the average recovery time for traditional tummy tucks.
Extended
In the extended tummy tuck, the horizontal incision reaches around the hips. It requires a round incision to reposition the navel higher once all excess skin has been removed. The tail ends of the scars will be visible when the body is viewed posteriorly. Because the procedure removes more skin from a wider area than other techniques, it is usually reserved for patients with massive weight loss.
The Mini
Are you bothered by stretch marks below the navel, loose skin or a ‘pooch’? If this is the case, a mini-tummy tuck may work for you. The incision in such a situation is small and is made just above the pubic mound. A cosmetic surgeon will use it to restore a flat, smooth abdominal wall by removing excess skin and tightening loose muscles. The resulting scar may be a thin, horizontal line that is just a few inches long. Advantages of a mini tuck are a slimmer, flatter lower abdomen that looks better in fitted clothing and swimsuits, a quicker recovery, and a shorter less involved procedure.